Larsa and Cristy’s exit from the show was not much of a surprise as Adriana confirmed their departures last November. Alexia’s absence from the press release was however a shocker.

But today, Alexia is revealing she will in fact be returning to the series… but with a smaller role aka she’ll no longer be an official housewife. And just as we speculated, Alexia confirms the reason is indeed to due to the serious injuries her teen son Frankie Rosello suffered in an automobile accident last summer.

“It was a parent’s worst nightmare to get that phone call,’’ says Alexia to the Miami Herald, about the accident that occurred last August, when her 14-year-old son Frankie was riding in the passenger seat of a car driven by a friend from school. On that rainy day, the car spun out of control, into oncoming traffic. Frankie ended up in ICU with a serious head injury and various broken bones, including a crushed pelvis. He was the only one who got hurt.

Alexia shares that Frankie’s recovery won’t be a part of the show because it’s such a “personal matter.’’ But when filming on the new season begins in a couple of weeks (production is set to begin this month), Alexis will likely be filmed talking to her castmates about the accident.

The good news is that Frankie, who continues to undergo therapy five days a week. continues to make a ‘miraculous progress.’ Alexia shares, “He’s eating, he’s walking, he’s happy, he’s not on medication. The doctors are amazed. Speech is the most pressing issue at the moment.” In fact, just moments ago, Alexia tweeted a photo, posted below, of Frankie in therapy. Best wishes to Frankie!

As for Larsa and Cristy, they have yet to comment on being off the new season.

I must say, while I get Alexia doesn’t want to exploit Frankie for the show, I don’t see what’s so awful about putting your son’s recovery on a reality show as this seems more like a positive story to me. Thankfully, things seem to be going well for Frankie, who according to her is making good progress. But then again, perhaps this is Frankie’s decision to not want to put his struggles on the show, in which case, is very understandable. Alexis was my favorite housewife from the Miami franchise so it’s nice to know she’ll be returning even if it’s for a smaller role.

No word yet on when Bravo plans to air the new season. A report also came out last week that Bravo has cast model Joanna Krupa and Lisa Hochsteinto join the cast!

[Photo Credit: Johnny Louis/WENN.com]

TELL US – IS ALEXIA MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION IN NOT PUTTING HER SON’S RECOVERY ON THE SHOW? WILL YOU MISS HER BEING AN OFFICIAL HOUSEWIFE?